Burlington Inclusivity Advisory Committee Meeting

Minutes

Meeting #:
Date:
Time:
-
Location:
Virtual

1.
Members Present:
 

Carrie Overholt (Chair), Jim Young (Vice-Chair), Kumkum Bhandari, Jenna Bye, Heba Lamloum, Rameen Sabet, Hiba Zinbarakji, Hanadi Al-Masri, Michael Brooks, Ryan Smith, Jim Young, Ron Baliko

2.
Members Regrets:
 

Denise Beard (Manager of Community Development), Amreen Rahman, Salma Emam, Mumba Litana

3.
Others Present:
 

Councillor Angelo Bentivegna, Richard Cloke, Program Lead, Halton Newcomer Strategy Employment & Social Services Social & Community Services, Halton Region, Gabriela Covaci, The Halton Newcomer Strategy Steering Committee Co-Chair, Kristin Sprukulis (Committee Assistant), Roxanne Gosse (Clerk)

4.
Declarations of Interest:
 

None

5.
Approval of Minutes:
 

6.
Delegation(s):
 

6.1
Presentation by Richard Cloke, Program Lead, Halton Newcomer Strategy Employment & Social Services Social & Community Services, Halton Region, Gabriela Covaci, The Halton Newcomer Strategy Steering Committee Co-Chair
 

The Halton Newcomer Strategy is a Local Immigration Partnership with a mandate to:

- Improve access to and coordination of settlement services.
- Improve labour market outcomes for newcomers.
- Strengthen regional awareness and capacity to successfully integrate immigrants.

90 community partners sitting at the Steering Committee, 5 Action Groups, and Youth Advisory Council.

Membership includes; newcomers, businesses, government, academic institutions, community organizations and private citizens.

The presentation discussed the strategic priority areas and outcomes to build awareness of services and supports among newcomers, and explore supports related to system navigation. Develop connections between youth-focused tables and partnerships to ensure the newcomer voice informs the work of HNS more broadly. Also, involve newcomer lived-experience into the work and decision making of HNS. Increase the capacity of service providers to advocate for newcomer clients navigating rental issues. Join forces with community organizations to enhance newcomer awareness around successful renting strategies & pathways to home ownership, as well as government programs and supports available

Action: Halton Newcomer Strategy will be sharing their resources with BIAC, so that the resources are on the committees webpage.

How can BIAC align with HNS strategy? HNS and BIAC to work to build a partnership. Action: BIAC to work on some recommendations. 

7.
Regular Items:
 

7.1
Moment of silence
 

A moment of silence was observed by BIAC for the 215 Indigenous children on the grounds of the former residential school in Kamloops, B.C.

7.2
Update regarding approval of the BIAC workplan and budget for 2021
 

Carrie advised members the 2021 workplan and budget was approved at the May 18, 2021 Council meeting. 

8.
Other Business:
 

8.1
Round table updates
 

Ryan Smith, spoke of the Virtual ESINC Program Launch. It is a program to support newcomers to Halton Region, how each of the emergency services operate and how they work together to serve the needs of the community.  HRPS also brought in the concern over Pride flags being stolen from properties.

Jim Young, spoke of the Seniors' Advisory Committee and approved workplan which will focus on Active Aging Plan, Housing Strategy and Long Term Care.

9.
Final Comments (Roxanne, Clerk)
 

- Action, send out to members the approved 2021 workplan.

- asked members to return after the summer break with ideas to start the 2021 workplan.

- reminded members to complete their forms and email them to the clerks.

10.
Adjournment:
 

Chair adjourned the meeting at 10:20 a.m.

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